Middletown Post Office Gives Retiring Worker A Surprise Bash

HERE `N' THERE

January 13, 1997|By MARLENE CLARK; Courant Columnist

Folks at the Middletown post office gave Kenny Peltonof Portland a nice send-off. About 30 co-workers and family members attended Pelton's retirement party at Jacoby's in Meriden. Pelton retired in December after working 27 years for the Middletown post office.

The party Nov. 24 was a complete surprise to him. Pelton's wife, Marge, and co-workers Sandra Preston and Noel Aube of Meriden were the prime movers behind the bash. Marge got him to the restaurant by telling him Jacoby's was having an early-bird special. He saw one co-worker, but didn't make the connection until someone yelled, ``Surprise!''

Pelton began working for the post office in 1969, when it was at the corner of Main and Court streets. It moved to Silver Street in July 1976.

He wanted to retire before winter set in, but not before his youngest son, Gary, graduated from college. The younger Pelton graduated Dec. 14 from the University of Maine. Pelton's mighty proud he put all three of his sons through college.

Pelton will be missed, said fellow retiree Charlie Krajewski. ``Always there to help out, that was Kenny.''

Pelton clocked out for the last time at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 3. Everyone stood around and applauded. It was a nice feeling. So is retirement, he said.

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The Middletown Sports Hall of Fame is turning into a neighborly place.

At ceremonies planned for Jan. 23, Deerfield Avenue residentsand neighbors Chet Krajewskiand A. Merton Bozoian will be inducted, along with 11 other stars from the local sports scene.

Krajewski played minor league ball in the Philadelphia Phillies farm system in the early '50s.

Bozoian was an outstanding track and field athlete during high school and college days. He later became track coach at the old Middletown High School.

The ceremony will be at the Radisson in Cromwell.

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Charles Francisco will lead Masons in East Hampton this year. He was installed as master of Anchor Lodge #112 AF & AM this month.

Friends and families toasted the new officers at a reception in the lodge hall after the ceremony.

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The Hamden Lions Club lived up to its motto, ``We Serve,'' at its holiday gathering in December at Laurel View Country Club.

President Jon Arrigone asked the couple dozen members in attendance to dig deep: He was collecting money for St. Ann's Soup Kitchen. So they did. A few days later, members Janet Sola, Thomas Athan,Nancy Hurlburt and Al Marzullo presented the soup kitchen with a check for $125.

The soup kitchen serves meals to indigent people and usually receives donations of food, not cash. But utilities and other bills have to be paid, too, Arrigone said.

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Students of Hidy Ochiai Karate in Middletown took several medals at the interschool tournament hosted by Master Instructor Hidy Ochiai in New York.

About 200 students competed. Instructor Ron Judkins took third place in the black belt weapons division. Not bad, considering Judkins is in his early 50s.

Steve Ballachino of Middletown took first and second places in brown belt sparring, form and weapons divisions. Dan Veronick of Durham took third in brownbelt weapons. Tom Ballachino of Cromwell took first and second in novice form and sparring divisions.

Ryan Mateyov of Killingworth took first and second in form and sparring in the 13-year-old division; Matt Luponeof Durham won second in sparring in the 11-year-old division; Micah Stachkunas of Middletown took third in forms and sparring in the junior intermediate division; and Tom Milardoof Middletown took third in sparring in junior novice.

Something special happening in your family, church or club? Drop me a line at The Courant, 373 E. Main St., Middletown 06457; call me at (860) 343-5253; or send a fax to (860) 343-5220. I'd love to hear from you.